August 2020 £2.20 ISSUE
422
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It seems unlikely that this year’s August bank holiday will see sights such as this, at Pendine Sands in 1926, although racing is due to take place at the Welsh venue again soon. • To find this and thousands more images visit: Mortons Archive www.mortonsarchive.com
2 NEWS
August 2020
Editorial
www.oldbikemart.co.uk email: info@oldbikemart.co.uk Editor Dave Manning OBMEditor@mortons.co.uk Designer Tracey Markham Production editor Pauline Hawkins Group advertising manager Sue Keily Divisional advertising manager Tom Lee Advertising team leader (Classic Division) Leon Currie lcurrie@mortons.co.uk Sales executive Kieron Deekins kdeekins@mortons.co.uk For Private Enquiries please visit
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A
fter just about all of this year’s riding season had been shackled by the confines of Covid social distancing and lockdowns, it seems that things really are finally returning back to something approaching normality, although many folk are saying that we will never return to the normality that we had six months ago. Finally, we’re seeing autojumbles up and running again, with Ardingly, Stickney and others having taken place by the time you read this. Support them, but stay safe. There’s a look at how ’jumbles, Ardingley in particular, have undertaken their safety procedures on page 28, and just before we went to press we heard that ’Normous Newark will be opening the (one way) gates on August 16, and more details for that, with regards to opening times and regulations, can be found on the website at www.newarkautojumble.co.uk As I’ve previously mentioned, as far as the world of classic motorcycles is concerned, there is a positive side to the social distancing and selfisolating guidelines that so many of us have been following over the last few months. Indeed, lockdown has certainly seen more time being spent in sheds up and down the country, with many more project bikes easing their way towards completion. Even some of my own projects have seen me spinning spanners, tapping threads and MIG-ing stuck fasteners out of limbo. Yet none of them are anywhere near as completed, nor as finely finished, as Neville’s glorious TriBSA that you can see on page 34 – a prime example of how the time afforded by lockdown can result in a positive outcome. And like Nev’s bike, one of my own projects is a collation of parts that’ve been taking
knowledge gained from actually up valuable space in my garage speaking, face-to-face, with the and sheds (everyone needs at least vendor. And now, finally, we have one ‘storage shed’ in addition to the the chance to do so again. So take area in which spanners are swung) advantage of the situation and although mine are of more recent support your local autojumble. countenance, and require tools of Actually, support as many as you a metric standard, rather than the can, both in terms of attending as traditional Imperial flavour of a ‘punter’, looking for parts and the TriBSA. consumables, and as a seller, as But that in-shed isolation hasn’t having a stand at an autojumble not always resulted in positive work only allows you to clear some ‘old being undertaken on projects. stock’ that may not be of any use to Indeed, I can personally vouch you any more – because it’s taking for the fact that it has also had a up valuable space, is a duplication of downside, regarding one of my other parts, or is for a bike that you projects in particular, a Kawasaki don’t own now – but also brings in of 1977 vintage. While refreshing some oft-needed finances. There’s the starter clutch and alternator arrangement on the bike in question, also the often-forgotten fact that the ’jumble scene has a circle of ‘insiders’ using some new aftermarket – those folk who regularly attend components and some of the such events and become known original parts, reassembly seemed for the parts that they specialise in, to be going according to plan right and the knowledge that they have up to the point at which the crank gained over years of dealing and end bolt tightened up surprisingly spannering. It’s essential knowledge quickly without seemingly putting that isn’t found quite as easily from a any pressure on the alternator rotor. bit of internet surfing… Cutting a long story short, it appears Those of you who also read the that the aftermarket rotor was of modern motorcycle press may have marginally different dimensions seen that bike sales have recently and required a slightly shorter bolt seen a rather pleasing 15% rise in and slightly different design thrust sales, although this is more than washer to the rear, both of which I balanced out by the fact that sales may have realised, or been told of, had been depressingly low during had I been dealing with somebody the first half of the year (25% lower over a shop counter, rather than than the same time period in 2019). ordering parts via the internet with Of course, that lift in sales during no human interaction. Of course, June also coincided with the fact there was no guarantee of that, that many folk were returning but it did get me wondering just to work, seemingly unwilling to how folk have been coping with entertain the notion of public ordering parts (or even finding transport, and realising that riding them, for that matter) for bikes that a bike is perhaps the very best way are much, much older than my of self-isolating on the commute to middle-aged Zed. The chance to the daily grind. Backing this up is closely scrutinise parts only comes the fact that scooter sales rose an at a shop or autojumble stand, and astounding 46.6% over the same there’s also the potential additional
period that new car sales dropped by 35%! Incidentally, one of the most keenly priced bikes of this year, the Royal Enfield 650cc twins, are doing well, with the Interceptor having a 54% increase when compared with June last year. This could mean that Enfield have vastly improved their dealer network; or that they’ve hit the UK market demand squarely on the head; or that the focus of bike sales has diverted away from sports and adventure machines and to classically styled motorcycles. Or, of course, all three. But don’t be thinking that it is only brand new bikes that are selling successfully right now. Auctions are also doing surprisingly well, even when run as online only with no one actually being able to see the lots in the flesh. Reports of the number of online bidders increasing threefold are common, undoubtedly boosted by the fact that classic fans have not only had increased spare time, but also funds that aren’t being spent on luxuries such as holidays. In all, I think it’s a fairly positive picture for something of a negative period in modern history. Stay positive, stay safe, and keep riding!
August 2020
NEWS 3
Museum raffle tickets in this issue!
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’m sure that every reader and subscriber to Old Bike Mart knows that the National Motorcycle Museum is a vital asset to the work of classic, vintage and veteran motorcycling. However, maybe not everyone is aware that the museum receives no external funding whatsoever. What this means is that the museum exists on funding generated by visitors and from the venue’s conference business and two sister hotels, both of which have been seriously impacted by the closure of the hospitality industry during the last few months. And, right now, it seems that there is little likelihood of the museum being able to reopen until the hotels are back open and operating profitably. The museum itself requires a surplus (i.e. not just turnover) of £500,000 from the other businesses just so it
can break even. So, to avoid the nightmare scenario of having to sell bikes to keep the museum open, the NMM has launched an appeal that can help to raise the required half a million pounds in two different ways. Firstly you can visit the museum’s website – at www.nmm.co.uk – and directly donate to the appeal, the funds from which will enable the museum to continue in as normal a fashion as possible up until normal trading resumes. Secondly, and following on from the museum’s traditional winter and summer raffles, there is an additional raffle with some truly astounding prizes that will be drawn on Thursday, December 21. Indeed, you will find some raffle tickets within this very copy of OBM that you can purchase. But what could you win?
The museum’s staff have managed to find yet another brand new, old stock classic bike in the form of an 850cc Norton Commando, which is a 1977 model, previously unused or owned. Essentially a brand new Commando as the first prize! Second prize is a 1948 Ariel NG, restored by the museum, while third prize is another 350, being a 1959 BSA B31, again restored by the museum’s own expert staff. With the tickets being just £6 each, not only is this an excellent way to ensure that Britain’s biggest motorcycle museum will be there for us all in the future, but could also see you winning a stunning classic bike to add to your collection (or, for that matter, to start your collection!). You can use the tickets within this issue, or buy additional ones from the aforementioned website at www.nmm.co.uk
Brighton Speed Trials’ future confirmed Given the Covid-19 issues surrounding motorcycle events this year, it comes as no great surprise to hear that this year’s Brighton Speed Trials will not be taking place. However, not all of the news regarding the Madeira Drive event is depressing, as it now appears that there’s been a council U-turn regarding future events on Madeira Drive, meaning that the speed trials – among other vehicular activities – will be able to return to the venue in future years! It’s interesting to note that it is claimed that the petition to save the speed trials had one of the highest numbers of signatories ever recorded in the area, suggesting that the event is held dear in the hearts of many locals, as well as racers and classic vehicle enthusiasts. Of course, events held on Madeira Drive bring many thousands of pounds of revenue into the area, with Brighton Speed Trials doing so since its inaugural event back in 1905. The double whammy of heritage and financial incentives has proved to be a winner in this case! Meanwhile, the date for the 2021 Brighton Speed Trials has been applied for, with the hope that it’ll be confirmed for Saturday, September 4.
The sights, sounds and smells of the speed trials are set to return in September 2021.
Covid cancellations continue While lockdown restrictions are being lifted left, right and centre, and events such as autojumbles are beginning to be reinstated, the issues revolving around social distancing and the requirements therein are still taking their toll. Consequently, we’ve heard of several classic bike events that’ll not be taking place, beginning with the news that the Sussex British Motorcycle Owners Club Bulldog Run, due to take place in September, has also been added to the list of cancellations. Also, the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival – also
known as ‘Llanbikefest’ – due to take place at the start of August has been knocked on the head, and is due to return next year. The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, just outside of York, was due to be the venue for the start and end of the VMCC NE Section’s Golden Era Run, but that also has had to be postponed, although the hopes are that it will retain the end-of-July date for 2021. Another August event to have been put back 12 months is the International West Kent Run, with the intention being that it can be run as usual in 2021.
There’s only one way for Sammy! The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, home to more than 400 bikes, has now reopened its doors to the public. The venue has a new glass-fronted extension that brings an additional 10,000 square feet of space. While Sammy has been spending the lockdown period working on the museum’s exhibits, the venue is now open again to visitors, albeit with a one-way system in place for visitors’ safety around the various sections of Road Bike Hall, Sports Bike Hall and Racing Hall. Social distancing guidelines will have had their effects on the tearooms, and also
in respect to the museum’s many animals – there are goats, alpacas, sheep, donkeys and much more – but the retail shop will still be open, and remember that the museum has free parking! Featuring a wide array of machinery, including a significant number of bespoke bikes and factory prototypes, it of course also includes Sammy’s very own world-famous Ariel trails bike – GOV 132! Visit the museum website at www.sammymiller.co.uk to check on details with regards to opening hours, cashless payments and social distancing measures.
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August 2020
Numerous classic road and race bikes lined up on display.
Classics on the Island
W
hile there is no Classic TT on the Isle of Man this year, there are still plenty of treats for the classic motorcycle enthusiast who wishes to visit ‘Ellan Vannin’. Anyone who’s attended any of the road racing on the Island knows of the miles of superb roads and scenery to be enjoyed, and will also be aware that the Island has some truly incredible museums as well, several of which focus solely on motorcycles, while others, such as the Isle of Man Motor Museum, exhibit all forms of motorised transport. Within the motor museum, based at the old RAF Jurby station in the north of the Island (which, incidentally, my father was based at during the Second World War – Ed), is the Isle of Man TT Museum, opened in 2018 and containing, as you may have guessed, many exhibits pertaining to the Tourist Trophy races which started in 1907. Currently there are more than 300 bikes on display, from turn of the last century machinery to modern TT racers and superbikes, with one of the newest exhibits
Four cylinders of 500cc Honda.
Competition machinery plays its part, including Bonneville salt racers.
being a rotary-engined display, with examples of these machines from DKW, Norton and Suzuki, and a Norton rotary prototype on its way too. Like many museums, they run a ‘friends of the museum’ scheme, and can also cater for group attendances and special events, and if there is a specific machine that you wish to take a closer
look at, then by contacting the museum they can ensure that it is available for viewing. Again, like other venues, the machinery is kept ‘active’, and regularly run, so not everything is on display all of the time. More details can be found on the website at www. isleofmanmotormuseum.com or on 01624 888333.
No barriers to obstruct the view.
Autojumble is on... but Exmoor Run is off Good and bad news from the depths of Somerset, with a message telling us that the Taunton Autojumble will be going ahead on Saturday, August 22, providing that all things remain as they are at the time of writing. Naturally, as the residents of Leicester will know all too well, there is no guarantee that lockdown conditions won’t be applied between now and then, but for now we can assume that the
’jumble will be going ahead. It’ll be located at The 37 Club, Puriton in Somerset, but as is the case with each and every other event that is due to take place this year, it is worth checking that it is going ahead before you travel. For more information please contact Pete on 07977 643852. However, we hear from the Taunton Classic Motorcycle Club that their Exmoor Run organising committee has
reluctantly come to the decision to cancel this year’s run, planned for Sunday, August 9. The decision was held off for as long as possible, in the hope that restrictions would be lifted, and that they could still safely continue. But they have now concluded that this is not possible as they feel that the health of both participants and club members could be at risk.
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August 2020
Bonhams Summer Sale in Bicester
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ue to be held over three days, from August 14 to 16, the Bonhams Motorcycle Department’s Summer Sale will take place in the incredible surroundings of Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire. The lots will be on view in the 50,000sq ft former RAF bomber station hangar at Bicester Heritage, with pre-sale viewing on August 13 and 14 by appointment only. The sale features more than 580 lots, with a sale of spares and memorabilia (including the vast array of parts, components and ephemera from the Morbidelli Collection) on Friday, August 14. The motorcycles from the Morbidelli Collection, which had initially been lined up for auction at the Spring Stafford Show, will be offered on Sunday, August 16. One of the highlights of the sale is an ultrarare 1975 Suzuki 750cc XR11 Formula 750, as ridden to victory in the 1976 Isle of Man Classic TT by Texaco Heron Team Suzuki works rider, John Williams. Known as the ‘flexi-flyer’, thanks to frame tubes that were somewhat too small in diameter for the design and power that the engine made, this 1975 model XR11 has an estimate of £42,000-48,000. The sale will be a live ‘behind-closed-doors’ auction. The auctioneer will be present on the rostrum as usual, and bids will be accepted in
This four-cylinder Ducati, as built in 1965 and of a mere 125cc, will be under the hammer and sure to attract plenty of interest.
the following formats: online, on the phone, or by leaving an absentee bid. All bidding will be conducted remotely via a live stream online and in accordance with the latest government guidelines. Pre-sale viewing of all lots is by appointment only. Live and interactive video condition reports and enhanced online ‘walk around video’ content will be available for bidders. And, incidentally, around 75% of the lots are being offered without reserve… More details can be found at www.bonhams. com/summersale
This 1937 SS80 will be in the Stafford auction and with an estimate of £50-60,000, bidding is sure to be brisk.
Stafford still due in October While there is still the potential for change, October 10-11 are still the dates for this year’s one and only Stafford Show, with the Carole Nash-sponsored event being the 27th anniversary for the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show. Further details can be found at www. classicbikeshows.com, and while the logistics of the show may be tweaked to suit whatever social distancing guidelines are at the time, there will be all the usual attractions, and more, that have always been part and parcel of the UK’s biggest classic bike event.
Forming part of the 27th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, the Bonhams Autumn Motorcycle Sale will feature around 500 lots of motorcycles and associated memorabilia. It includes a selection of machines that are synonymous with Bonhams and the Stafford shows, from British heavyweight V-twins and vintage American four-cylinders to Italian exotica and much more. Additional details of the bikes and memorabilia heading on to the auctioneer’s block can be found at www.bonhams.com/autumnstafford
No show for Hull RSPCA
This 1920 Rudge Multi TT, of 499cc capacity, will also appear at the Bicester Heritage auction.
The Percy Tait/John Williams Suzuki XR11 resplendent in its traditional Texaco livery.
Sadly, having heard from show organiser Lyn Clarke, the 2020 Hull RSPCA Motorcycle Show is yet another event taking a Covid-19 hit. While we can all bemoan the fact that we haven’t as many events to attend on our classic machinery, the real victims in this case are those animals that the charity supports, as the classic motorcycle show due to take place on September 13 was one of the Hull venue’s biggest fundraising events of the year.
Lyn’s message continues with: “You will all be missed, whether you were our sponsor, a private entry to the classes competition or one of our many fabulous trade stands. We hope that 2021 will once again see us gathered on our paddock at the rear of the newly refurbished animal centre.” So while it is some time away, slot this date into your diary for next year’s fundraiser – Sunday, September 12.
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August 2020
Gone missing
Covered is safe Irrespective of how dry and dust free your garage is, it’s always sensible to keep a cover over your pride and joy. Not only can this keep any airborne dirt from settling on the pristine paint and polish (or otherwise), it can also give an extra level of protection against knocks and dings, and it also means that prying eyes don’t know what it is beneath the cover, a well-known aid against theft. Richbrook – a car specialist branching out into the motorcycle market – is producing its “supersoft, superstretchy, superstrong” motorcycle covers, made from the same material as the company’s highly commended car covers with a Lycra-based fabric that is dustproof yet breathable (thus preventing condensation forming on the bike), and as it’s a heavier 180gsm (grammes per square metre) material, it also gives reasonable protection. They’re machine washable, available in red or black and are supplied in a neat storage bag. Priced at £40 they are available direct from Richbrook at www.richbrook.co.uk/ product/indoor-motorcycle-covers/
As we’ve mentioned before, the crimes that are inflicted on classic machinery and its owners isn’t just limited to theft and theft only, as there are a number of scams around that can affect us in different ways, and part of this column’s reasoning is to make our readers aware of ways in which we may have the wool pulled over our eyes by nefarious ne’er-do-wells who have no place in polite society… Last month, Richard Stafford placed an ad in our Parts Wanted section, and was pleased to have had a few good responses. And although one of them responded offering the exact parts that he wanted, this actually turned out to be a scam and, unfortunately, he fell for it. Now, while there could very well be people who have exactly the parts that you may be searching for, it is worthwhile spending a bit of time asking some pertinent questions if you are told that somebody has just
the parts you need. The reasoning is dual-fold – it could be that the parts that you want are being stolen to order, or the ‘seller’ in question justt doesn’t have the parts at all. Always ask for pictures of the parts. Ask why the person has them – are they spares that they have acquired over time? Or are they from a bike that has been split into parts? In an ideal world, you’d want to see and scrutinise the parts before handing over any cash, but (as was the case with Richard) the seller may not be local and claim that they will send the parts, asking for a bank transfer, or similar, for the money. Ask for the seller’s address (then check to see if it is real), and check to see if the bank account is in the same area (although this could, legitimately, not be local). If correspondence is by email, check to see if the email address and the name match the seller’s name, and
check both with the bank account name. In short, ask questions and take nothing for granted. The chances are that you’ll have absolutely no problem with anyone buying, or selling parts either on the internet or through magazine small ads, as by far the greater majority of people are honest and genuine. But it could pay to be careful. And if you do happen to find someone who is clearly ‘trying one on’, don’t entertain them, report it directly to the Fraud Action line and also inform your bank if there have been any transactions. Be warned everyone, even though social distancing and the like may have curtailed our normal activities, the low lives are still as active as ever.
Virtually Brooklands, the results Although the Brooklands Museum remains closed until August, over the weekend of July 4 and 5 the museum’s motorcycle team held two virtual motorcycle days in place of their annual motorcycle show. The event, which was shown on the Brooklands Members TV YouTube Channel, consisted of more than nine hours of motorcycle events and talks hosted by exracer and commentator Steve Parrish, while there was also a virtual concours d’elegance where owners could enter their machines via social media. A total of 41 bikes were entered in the Road Bike class, varying in style and age from a 1928 Matchless Model V to a 2018 Triumph Thruxton R, while nine bikes
were entered into the Competition Bike class ranging from a 1918 Dart-JAP to a 2016 Wadkin-Snaith Brooklands Replica. The high standard presented the judges with a challenge and the museum team look forward to welcoming the winners to the museum when it reopens. The event was in aid of the #LoveBrooklands appeal which is being run by the museum to help manage the collection during closure due to coronavirus measures. Please visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com for details about reopening, and remember that the highlights of the Virtual Motorcycle Show are still available on the Brooklands Members TV YouTube Channel at www. youtube.com/c/BrooklandsMemberstv/
Road Bike class, 1940-1959, Phil Hallam’s 1946 Norton Prototype 500 Twin.
Road Bike class, 1939 and earlier, 1928 Matchless Model V by @ ton_up_lad2001 (Instagram)
Road Bike class, 1980-onwards, Andy Fairma’s 2005 Royal Enfield Bullet 350.
Road Bike class, 1960-1979, Stuart Baker’s 1973 Honda CB350.
Competition Bike class, the Flying JAP board racer owned by Mark Oxley.
Two-wheelers at Blenheim Palace While the exclusive Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance is well-known for the pristine presentation of hugely expensive classic cars, the recent inclusion of motorcycles is perhaps not as obvious. However, for the third year running, the event is set to include two classes for two-wheeled machinery when the event returns to Blenheim Palace on September 23 (and, yes, that is a Wednesday). Those classes are The The exhaust that Tim requires is similar to this seen on the Triumph TR5 AC.
Exceptional Motorcycles, and Exceptional Competition Motorcycles categories, with the aim being that “visitors will get to see the great café racers of the 1950s and ’60s, to choppers from the 1970s and wacky racers from the 1980s”. The class winners and runners-up are selected by the jury, while the top prize, Most Spectacular Motorbike, is chosen by the Duke of Marlborough himself. Several fantastic motorcycles have already
been confirmed for the prestigious concours, including a rare and valuable 1974 Ducati 750SS ‘Green Frame’. One of only 401 produced, all of which were hand-built and overseen by technical boss Fabio Taglioni, this particular example was sourced from Spain by its current owner and returned to the UK for a full restoration. Together with a 1976 750SS by Newton Engineering and a 1975 900SS that have also been
entered, it completes a full set of iconic round and square-case Ducati V-twin motorcycles. It will be the first time three examples of this kind have been exhibited together in the UK. The Blenheim Palace lawns will also see displays of modern machinery from MV Agusta as they celebrate their 75th anniversary, and also British manufacturers CCM and the recently launched bike brand, Langen Motorcycles, who will be
displaying their 250cc twostroke V-twin, due to retail at a surprising £30,000!
More details about the event can be found at www. salonpriveconcours.com
Exhaustive search under way for project pipe While some of our loyal subscribers rely on just Old Bike Mart for their classic motorcycle reading, we know that many also read and/or subscribe to one or more of our sister titles. Those folk may be aware that ex-OBM editor Tim Britton, the jovial Geordie, is covering the build of his most recent Triumph project in both The Classic Motorcycle and Classic Dirt Bike, the title which Tim is now editing.
While progress on the project is continuing apace, Tim is struggling to sort an exhaust and, while he could simply pop out and buy a brandspankers new pipe, the raison d’être of the project is to use up some of the parts that are gathering dust in his shed, and to not spend a fortune. So, what Tim is searching for is a two-into-one Triumph 3TA exhaust system – it need not be in immaculate
condition (indeed, he’s perfectly happy with a ‘scabby one’). He already has got a T100T two-into-one system which is in good condition – and is actually too good to chop about – which he is happy to swap or could pass on to someone who is desirous of such an item. If anyone can help, please contact the OBM office or email Tim at sherpa250@btinternet.com
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August 2020